Fat Loss Training - Week 16

Monday

Cycled in, cycled home. An hour of weight training and only water to drink. 

No alcohol, no junkfood, weight training

Tuesday

I cycled to work and then cycled home for another hour of weight training. I couldn't make it to the all-comers Karate session and the advanced Karate session is no longer available. I don't think I'll be able to make it on Tuesdays unless I'm off work.

No alcohol, no junkfood, weight training

Wednesday

I cycled in to work. After lessons, I met James and my mate Dean in the college gym. James had to go early, but I managed to complete my usual program and equal my all-time bench press record.

I cycled home and made dinner for the family.

No alcohol, no junkfood, weight training

Thursday

Lucy and I used the car for work today.

When we got home, I hit the weights while Lucy made a lovely dinner. I had a couple of beers with the lovely dinner!

Beers, no junkfood, weight training

Friday

I cycled in to work today. After invigilating a mock GCSE maths exam, I attended the weekly GCSE English meeting. I found out that I have another paperwork deadline to meet...and that was kind of the last straw. At this point I have to admit that it is completely impossible to get everything done in the time I've been given. I won't give up, I'm not a quitter, but I will just have to do the best I can knowing that it is an impossible task.

I took a load of the paperwork home with me in my backpack, but I did an hour of weight training before I started on it. Tonight, I had to collect Martha from Birmingham City Centre at 11pm so I stayed sober.

No alcohol, no junkfood, weight training

Saturday

Disaster at the dojo! When I arrived at 3:45, it was obvious that no Karate was going to take place. There was a Christmas craft fair taking place at Dickens Heath Village Hall! When Sensei Gary arrived, he was very positive about it. He ended up chatting to the stall owners, exchanging business cards and taking numbers! 

I, on the other hand, was highly embarrassed having to explain to students and parents that the lesson had been cancelled. I hope they all come back next week!

Back at home, I set up my weight training equipment and did an hour of lifting to vent my frustration!

In the evening, I had a few beers.

Alcohol, no junkfood, weight training

Sunday

Jonnie's birthday ride! With Rog still recovering, and Mark entertaining guests, James, Jonnie and I set off on Jonnie's route of choice. This year, he chose to ride Purity Temple. Who knew he was such a fan of the Average Destroyer!?

The roads were wet and muddy which made it hard for me to descend with any confidence, but I wasn't operating at full power anyway. Too much weight training this week?

At Wilmcote, we had lemon drizzle cake and nice coffee. While we were sitting down and chatting to Jane, the weather took a turn for the worse. We could see big spots of rain hitting the windows. It was a real effort of will to put our cycling shoes back on and walk out into the December weather.

The rain wasn't too bad and eased off a little as we went along. We took the direct route back home, which is just as well because I was running out of energy. I was glad to get back to Jonnie's for a beer in his fantastic greenhouse. With the heater on of course!

Several hours later, and completely sober, I went along to the dojo to help out with a grading. Our students did us proud again and Sensei Gary and I were impressed by the standard. Well done everyone. 

In the evening, I enjoyed a few more beers with dinner!

Beers, junkfood, Cycling and Karate

In summary, a good week for weight training! I lifted weights on 6 of the 7 days! I ate healthily for 6 days and avoided alcohol for 4 days. I need more weeks like this.

...and then came weeks 17 and 18. They have no place in a supposed 'fitness' blog. The pressure at work built until I gave up trying to get home in time to exercise, and stayed at work to mark mock papers instead. Setting targets, finalising exam arrangements, speaking & listening exams, spoken language exams... it all had to be done, and this meant working at home in the evenings and then flopping onto the couch with a beer to 'recover'. My sleep suffered and my lack of energy on the bicycle was very noticeable.

I failed to reach my weight loss target. However, I did manage to hit my overall target of fitting into my suit in time for Lucy's birthday:

Going out for Lucy's birthday. In my suit!

Fat Loss Training - Week 15

Monday

Obviously, after last week's pathetic efforts, I have taken a big step backwards on my training plan. When I stepped on the scales today, I had only reached my week 6 target. This means I am 8 weeks behind with only 3 weeks left to reach my goal.

It's going to take a monumental effort of self discipline.

Today, I cycled in to work, did the work thing, and then cycled home to lift up some weights for an hour. I managed to set a recent record for the barbell curls - my best since Lockdown One. Maybe the rest has done me some good?

I made dinner for the family and drank water.

No alcohol, no junkfood, one of hour of weight training

Tuesday

I cycled in to work and back.

Tonight at the dojo, we got some mats out and did some take-downs with the black and brown belts. Good fun!

No alcohol, no junkfood, Karate

Wednesday

There was frost everywhere this morning. I tried to take some recycling out but the bin lid was frozen shut! However, it was a beautiful start to the day with blue skies and no wind. I put some hand-warmers in my two pairs of gloves and cycled in to work.

After lessons (algebra is hard to teach!) I went along to the college gym. James was helping with the college open day so he couldn't train. However, he very kindly came along to spot me on my final three sets of bench press. With his encouragement, I managed to equal my all time record!

I cycled home, made dinner for the family and didn't drink beer.

No alcohol, no junkfood, weight training

Thursday

]In the car today. After work, I dropped Lucy and Martha off at the train station and then headed home to make dinner for myself and Mouse. After washing up, I jumped back in the car and collected Lucy and Marth from the Hippodrome up town. I didn't get to bed until almost 11!

No alcohol, no junkfood, no exercise.

Friday

I cycled to work and back. I was in charge at the dojo tonight. We did almost 45 minutes of kicks - focussing on the correct stance and positioning. Of course, we hit pads a lot, and we even did partner work and a line up. After that, 10 minutes on kata before going home.

Back at home, I decided a beer was in order... followed by a few more, and then some wine. I spent the evening watching videos of my old band on YouTube before finally wobbling off to bed sometime after midnight!

Booze, no junkfood, Karate

Saturday

After two breakfasts, I was ready to face the day. My mission was to secure some fairy lights to the front of the house. Without wanting to drill into brick, I went along to B&Q and bought some adhesive hooks. So far, they have worked a treat and don't seem to be effected by the rain and freezing temperatures.

At the dojo, I had 13 students and a first dan black belt who had been asked to help me out this afternoon. I was very glad to have him as my assistant. He volunteered to instruct the lower grades, and he did a great job too! After ten minutes I asked him if he'd like me to take over, but he was happy to continue. That meant that I could spend most of the hour with the higher grades to see if I could help them generate the correct martial spirit. I was partially successful...

Back at home, it was party time! We had invited family members over to the house and Lucy had put together a wonderful spread. It was good to catch up but I was also glad to get to bed and read a book!

4 beers, no junkfood, Karate

Sunday

Up at 7 to meet the lads at Jonnie's place. We had a strange ride planned: James had to get back early, but he also knew that Jane had made ginger cake! So we decided to ride directly to Wilmcote for early cake, and then ride a longer route once James had set off for home.

It was very cold, and the lanes were wet after hours of rain in the night. The sun was very low and, heading south, the light was directly in our eyes as we went along. The road surface was decidedly shiny... James and I began to be suspicious of ice on the road, but this didn't seem to bother Mark or Jonnie. Those two hurled themselves down the descents with their usual gay abandon; whereas James was cautious, and I tiptoed down like Bambi on ice!

About 10 miles into the ride, my back wheel span out on ice during a short climb. I actually strained my stomach muscles keeping upright on the bike! It made for slow going, and it wasn't until we got to Aston Cantlow that I had the confidence to step on the pedals with my usual gusto. I dragged the lads along and then onto the climb up to Wilmcote.

At Wilmcote, we were pleased to find Carl and Laura recovering from last night's festivities. Jane served up the fantastic ginger cake with custard and the seven of us had a chat until James had to head off home.

Recommended by health experts.

Mark, Jonnie and I decided to get home via the Honiley Route in reverse. This would mean a 40 mile ride. By now, the sun was a little warmer and the chance of ice was a lot less. However, the roads were still very wet and shiny. I couldn't find the confidence to give it the beans, and spent most of the ride trying to keep up with the other two.

Jonnie and Mark came back to mine for a little bit and we had a beer or two. Afterwards, I got an hour of ironing done while watching TNT Sport.

In the evening, Lucy cooked a lovely dinner and I had a few more beers!

Beers, junkfood, Cycling 

In summary, it was a decent week as far as my training plan is concerned: I had 4 sober days, I exercised 6 days out of 7 and I ate healthily every day apart from Sunday.